CN-121994369-A - Fast response food thermometer and related method

Abstract

A food thermometer includes a probe body, a temperature sensing tip, and a depth of insertion sensor. The probe body has a handle fixed to one end and a temperature detecting tip fixed to the other end. The temperature sensing tip is configured to be inserted into a food item and determine a temperature of the food item. The temperature sensing tip includes a thermocouple including an outer thermocouple element and an inner thermocouple element. The temperature sensing tip further includes a thermocouple junction connected between the outer thermocouple element and the inner thermocouple element of the thermocouple and a piercing tip adjacent the thermocouple junction. An insertion depth sensor is located within the probe body and is configured to communicate with the microcontroller to determine the insertion depth of the piercing tip into the food item.

Inventors

• Temu Nivara
• Farrell Coleman
• DAVID CALLAHAN
• Jerome Haibel
• YE MINGHAO

Assignees

• 艾普迅实验室有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20251107

Priority Date

20241108

Claims (20)

1. 1. A food thermometer comprising: A probe body including a handle fixed to one end of the probe body; A temperature sensing tip secured to the other end of the probe body opposite the handle, the temperature sensing tip configured to pierce into a food item and determine a temperature of the food item, the temperature sensing tip comprising: A thermocouple comprising an outer thermocouple element and an inner thermocouple element; A thermocouple junction connected between the outer thermocouple element and the inner thermocouple element of the thermocouple, and A piercing tip adjacent to the thermocouple junction, and An insertion depth sensor is located within the probe body and is configured for operative communication with a microcontroller for determining an insertion depth of the piercing tip into the food item.
2. 2. The food thermometer according to claim 1, wherein, The outer thermocouple element of the thermocouple comprises aluminum, and The inner thermocouple element of the thermocouple comprises a copper nickel alloy.
3. 3. The food thermometer of claim 2 wherein the weight of copper in the copper nickel alloy is from about 40% to about 95% based on the total weight of the copper nickel alloy.
4. 4. The food thermometer of claim 2, wherein, in the copper-nickel alloy: from about 70% to about 90% by weight of copper, and Nickel is present in an amount from about 10% to about 30% by weight.
5. 5. The food thermometer of claim 1, further comprising a wireless interface assembly configured for wireless communication with a portable electronic device.
6. 6. The food thermometer of claim 1, further comprising an integrated user interface component configured to receive input from a user or display output to the user or to receive input from the user and display output to the user.
7. 7. The food thermometer of claim 1 wherein the depth of insertion sensor comprises one or more capacitive electrodes.
8. 8. The food thermometer of claim 1 wherein the depth of insertion sensor comprises a transmitter that generates a transmit signal directed toward a food item and a detector that receives a detection signal reflected from the food item.
9. 9. A food thermometer comprising: a probe body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; A handle secured to a first end of the probe body; a temperature sensing tip secured to a second end of the probe body, the temperature sensing tip configured to pierce into a food item and determine a temperature of the food item, the temperature sensing tip comprising: A thermocouple comprising an outer thermocouple element and an inner thermocouple element; A thermocouple junction connected between the outer thermocouple element and the inner thermocouple element of the thermocouple, and A piercing tip adjacent to the thermocouple junction; A sensor region within the probe body proximate the temperature sensing tip, the sensor region including at least one capacitive electrode, and A signal lead configured to transmit at least one electrical characteristic measured by the insertion depth sensor to the microcontroller, The microcontroller is configured to calculate an insertion depth of the piercing tip into the food item based on at least one electrical characteristic measured by the insertion depth sensor.
10. 10. The food thermometer of claim 9 wherein the microcontroller is located within the probe body.
11. 11. The food thermometer of claim 9 wherein the microcontroller is located within the handle.
12. 12. The food thermometer of claim 9, further comprising a reference lead connecting the microcontroller to a portion of the probe body to provide a ground reference.
13. 13. The food thermometer of claim 9 wherein: The sensor region includes a first capacitive electrode, a second capacitive electrode, and an insulating material separating the first capacitive electrode from the second capacitive electrode, and The signal leads include a first signal lead connecting the first capacitive electrode to the microcontroller and a second signal lead connecting the second capacitive electrode to the microcontroller.
14. 14. The food thermometer of claim 13 wherein the first capacitive electrode and the second capacitive electrode are located at the same location within the sensor area.
15. 15. The food thermometer of claim 9 wherein the sensor area comprises a plurality of capacitive electrodes, each capacitive electrode separated from the other capacitive electrodes by an insulating material.
16. 16. The food thermometer of claim 15 wherein the plurality of capacitive electrodes are arranged laterally along the sensor region extending from the second end of the probe body toward the first end of the probe body.
17. 17. A food thermometer comprising: a probe body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; A handle connected to a first end of the probe body; A temperature sensing tip connected to the second end of the probe body, the temperature sensing tip configured to pierce into a food item and determine a temperature of the food item, the temperature sensing tip comprising: A thermocouple comprising an outer thermocouple element and an inner thermocouple element; A thermocouple junction connected to the outer thermocouple element and the inner thermocouple element of the thermocouple, and A piercing tip adjacent to the thermocouple junction; an insertion depth sensor comprising an emitter generating an emitted signal directed toward the food item and a detector receiving a detected signal reflected from the food item, and A microcontroller is configured for operative communication with the insertion depth sensor for determining a distance between the insertion depth sensor and the food item.
18. 18. The food thermometer of claim 17 wherein the emitted signal comprises an optical wave, an acoustic wave, or an electrical pulse.
19. 19. The food thermometer of claim 17 wherein the depth of insertion sensor is located within the handle.
20. 20. The food thermometer of claim 17 wherein the depth of insertion sensor comprises a transmitter to generate an electronic pulse signal directed toward the food item via a transmission line.

Description

Fast response food thermometer and related method Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application claims the benefit of the date of filing of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/941,553, "Rapid response food thermometer and related methods," filed on 8, 11, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to food thermometers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a food thermometer having a fast response temperature sensing tip and/or insertion depth probe, and to methods of making and using such food thermometers. Background Food thermometers, such as meat thermometers, are used to help provide a more consistent cooking effect. For example, the use of a meat thermometer may provide an indication of whether the meat is still uncooked, cooked, or at risk of overcooking. However, there is a lag time between the food reaching the desired temperature and the temperature indicated by conventional food thermometers. This can result in the food product being exposed to a heat source beyond demand and overcooking. In addition to the inherent lag time of conventional food thermometers, incorrect positioning of the temperature sensor of conventional food thermometers may also result in an inability to accurately report the true food temperature. More particularly, if the food thermometer is not fully inserted into the center of a food item, such as the center of a piece of meat, the temperature displayed may be higher than the center temperature, which, as previously described, may result in the food being prematurely removed from the heat source and the food not being cooked thoroughly. Drawings Features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and not to limit the scope of the claims. Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a fast response food temperature sensing tip according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a quick response food thermometer with an insertion depth probe showing an internal assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 illustrates wireless communication between a fast response food thermometer and a portable electronic device according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a quick response food thermometer with an insertion depth probe showing an internal assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a quick response food thermometer with an insertion depth probe showing an internal assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a quick response food thermometer with an insertion depth probe showing an internal assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a quick response food thermometer with an insertion depth probe showing an internal assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a quick response food thermometer with an insertion depth probe showing an internal assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a quick response food thermometer with an insertion depth probe showing an internal assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a quick response food thermometer with an insertion depth probe showing an internal assembly according to an embodiment. Detailed Description In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various embodiments disclosed may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "may" with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method means that the material, structure, feature, or method is contemplated for use in the practice of embodiments of the present disclosure, and that the term is used in preference to the more restrictive term "yes" to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods may be used in connection therewith that should or must be excluded. As used herein, any relational terms, such as "first," "second," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "side," "up," "down," and the like are used for clarity and ease of understanding of the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings, and are not meant or dependent on any particular preference or order unless the context clear